Representatives from the Texas Bowl presented a check for $50,000 to the DePelchin Children's Center at the Center's 2007 Spring Luncheon Thursday. DePelchin is the official charitable beneficiary of the Texas Bowl.

Texas Bowl generates $50,000 for DePelchin

"Rutgers won the game, but when you look at it, Houston really won with the Texas Bowl, and DePelchin won, too," Texas Bowl executive director Jamey Rootes said. "The Texas Bowl is a very important initiative for the city of Houston, and we look forward to working with DePelchin Children's Center to realize our full potential."

The inaugural Texas Bowl, played on December 28 at Reliant Stadium, was an overwhelming success. The game generated nearly $30 million in local revenue, according to the City of Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau, and drew a crowd of 52,210 fans, the largest crowd to watch a college game in Houston which did not feature a Texas team since 1972.

Rutgers defeated Kansas State in the inaugural game, 37-10, behind the efforts of RB Ray Rice, who ran for 170 yards and a touchdown to earn Most Valuable Player honors.

"We look forward to a long engagement working with them in this," said Curt Mooney, Ph.D., the president and CEO of DePelchin Children's Center. "It was a great day for our kids when both teams came out and had a chance to visit with the children, and it made a huge difference. Thank you to the Texas Bowl and to Lone Star Sports & Entertainment."

Founded in 1892 by Kezia Payne DePelchin, the Children's Center is the largest and most comprehensive provider of children's social and mental health services in the Houston area. DePelchin Children's Center serves 27,000 children and family members annually through 30 programs, including adoption, foster care, counseling and drug and alcohol prevention.

The agency was originally founded to serve as a shelter for orphaned children, and has grown and changed over its century-plus history to continue to meet the needs of the greater Houston community. Today, DePelchin Children's Center has over 60 locations in Harris, Montgomery, Brazoria, Galveston, Ft. Bend and Waller counties.

DePelchin also presented John and Barbara (Bobbie) Nau with the 2007 Kezia DePelchin Award. The award recognizes "outstanding individuals who have improved the lives of children, youth and their families."